FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects face drug trafficking charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in a hidden compartment in their vehicle during a traffic stop.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Brandon Matthew Nelson, 41, of Eagle Springs and Ashley Loree Ray, 32, of Seagrove in a news release. 

Deputy G. Adams performed a traffic stop on a gray Toyota for a traffic violation on Salisbury Road near Statesville on Wednesday, April 13. Nelson was driving the vehicle and Ray was a passenger, according to the news release.

While speaking with the deputy, Nelson gave conflicting stories about where they were coming from and their destination, the sheriff said.

After Deputy G. Deal arrived to assist with the traffic stop, the deputies gathered enough information necessary to legally search the vehicle, according to the news release.

During the search, they found 181 grams of methamphetamine, six grams of cocaine, and marijuana hidden in a compartment underneath the hood of the vehicle, Campbell said.

The drugs were packaged in a manner consistent with the sale and distribution of controlled substances, according to the news release.

Nelson and Ray were both arrested and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where each was charged with felony trafficking of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of cocaine, and felony maintaining a vehicle, place, or dwelling for the sale or use of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects appeared before Magistrate Callejas, who issued each suspect a $25,000 secured bond on these charges.